Air Quality Projects
Rise South City works with residents, community partners, and academic collaborators to make local air quality information easier to access, understand, and use for public health and environmental justice.
Rise South City AQI App
The AQI App was developed to help residents view local air quality information, understand what the data mean, and take protective action when conditions worsen.
DOWNLOAD THE APP BY SCANNING THIS QR CODE:
Currently only available on iPhone
Local air quality information in one place
The app brings together an interactive map, time-series data, alerts and notifications, experimental modeling, graphs, education resources, and bilingual access.
Interactive Map
Shows local air quality information in a location-based format that is easier for residents to explore.
Alerts and Notifications
Supports timely updates when air quality reaches levels that matter for health and daily decision-making.
Education Tab
Explains AQI, PM2.5, health implications, and protective steps in accessible language.
Live AQI Dashboard
The live dashboard allows residents, partners, and staff to explore AQI trends, compare time periods, review seasonal patterns, and better understand local air quality conditions.
Community Monitors
Rise South City’s air monitoring work is guided by community priorities, trusted relationships, and the need for clearer local information.
Community Input
Community priorities shape the work
Community meetings, resident input, and partner feedback help guide where monitors are placed, what information is shared, and how technical findings are translated into clear community-facing materials.
UC Davis Projects
TARTA Monitoring
Metals in Particulate Matter
TARTA monitoring provides high-resolution information on metallic compounds in particulate matter. This helps fill a gap that regional monitoring networks often cannot address at the neighborhood scale.
The project supports community questions about local pollution sources and helps translate specialized measurements into information that can support environmental justice work.
UC Davis collaborators support advanced air monitoring and analysis that helps connect local measurements to possible source patterns and community questions.
Community Science
From data to community questions
The goal is not only to collect more data, but to connect measurements with community priorities, local context, and environmental justice action.
Upcoming Monitoring and Data Projects
Upcoming work builds on the existing monitoring network while expanding what pollutants and patterns can be understood locally.
Community Survey Highlights
70%
Transportation Context
​
Drive to work or their childrens school
Daily transportation patterns are important when thinking about exposure to roadway-related pollution.
25% +
Resident Experience
Felt air quality was bad most days or every day
Survey responses show that air quality is not only a technical issue, but something residents notice in daily life.
50%
Mobility Patterns
Never use public transportation
Understanding transportation habits can help frame outreach, education, and future community planning.
30%
Community Participation
Were interested in hosting an air monitor
Interest in hosting monitors shows potential for resident involvement in community air monitoring.
80%
Digital Access
Would look online for future air quality information
Online tools can be useful when information is clear, easy to find, and community-centered.
50% +
Health Connection
Said pollution caused breathing problems
Breathing concerns highlight why local air quality information needs to connect with public health needs.
60%
Information Seeking
Looked online when air quality was bad
Many residents already search for air quality information, which makes accessible online tools especially important.
Top Sources
Priority Concerns
Freeways and airport activity were major concerns
Residents identified major local pollution sources that can guide monitoring, communication, and advocacy.
